During the 70-year-old's reign at the club, United have scooped 12 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies and FA Cups - a feat which is unlikely to be repeated by a single manager in England.

Around 2,500 supporters, the first-team squad and former United players including Eric Cantona, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Peter Schmeichel, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Bobby Charlton were all in attendance to mark Friday's unveiling.

"It's a proud moment," Ferguson told MUTV.

"Normally people die before people see their statue. I'm outliving death!"